It was a blue ribbon day for Villager Shirley Rickis as most people were seeing red Friday afternoon at Brownwood Paddock Square.
The Village of Orange Blossom Gardens resident took first place in the Strawberry Dessert category with her Triple Chocolate Strawberry Delight.
She competed in a cookoff that featured strawberries as the red fruit was the focus of a Villages down-home celebration. Rickis also placed second in the Strawberry Pie category with her Strawberry Almond Cannoli Pie.
“This was such a fun day,” she said.
Diane Ficchi of the Village of Sabal Chase enjoyed her first trip to the event.
“We have been coming down here since 2012, but this is the first time we have come to the Strawberry Festival,” Ficchi said as she was eating strawberry shortcake.
Rita and Dewayne Green along with their friend Jack Dayton were watching the crowd while eating strawberries with whipped cream. The residents of the Village of Amelia remarked on the beautiful weather.
South Dakotan Pam Davenport was sampling some shortcake with her friend, Marna Foster of the Village of Woodbury. Davenport also remarked on the wonderful weather here compared to the tough weather back home.
The Village of Pinellas was well represented by Kathy Elliott, Luba Reilly and Betsey Sickles. They had purchased a large flat of strawberries to take home.
More than 30 vendors were present selling all kinds of food to go along with the strawberry treats. Villagers were treated to several performers on both the main stage as well as a secondary stages.
